Category Archives: Social Political Issues

Epiphany 3 B: Trust Joe Biden; but Verify!

Posted on January 19, 2021 by John

I write and publish this blog on January 19, 2021. Tomorrow, Joe Biden will be inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States. Thanks be to God! Now, it is our job to trust but verify. We are moved … Continue reading →

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Epiphany 2 B: “I and We” and the Assault on the Capitol

Posted on January 14, 2021 by John

The Second Reading for this Sunday is 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Those who stormed our nation’s Capitol on Epiphany, January 6, shouted many slogans: “This is our house!” “Stop the steal!” “Hang Mike Pence!” But they all can be boiled down … Continue reading →

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Epiphany 1 B: Listen to the Earth

Posted on January 4, 2021 by John

First Sunday after the Epiphany/Baptism of the Lord Psalm 29 is our Psalm for the First Sunday after the Epiphany, which is also the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This particular Psalm may have been chosen by those … Continue reading →

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Christmas 2 B: Recipe for a Pandemic New Year’s Eve Party

Posted on December 31, 2020 by John

I write this blog post on New Year’s Eve. Battle scarred by this year past you may be tempted to party like there’s no tomorrow. You may want to rip off your mask, hug a room full of strangers, drink … Continue reading →

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Christmas 1B: Deliverance and Division

Posted on December 24, 2020 by John

The Gospel for the First Sunday After Christmas, or the Feast of the Holy Family, is Luke 2:22-40. Jesus’ parents devoutly bring him to the Temple precincts in Jerusalem to take part in the rituals that the Law of Moses … Continue reading →

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The Household Power Structure Changes!

Posted on December 16, 2020 by John

Pictured here are Connie, with Sméagol the cat, and Nell the sheepdog. I’m John, taking the photo. In the life of Heatherhope Farm, over the 18 years of its existence, Sméagol has run things inside the house. He meows like … Continue reading →

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Advent 4 B: Look Up to God And Down on None

Posted on December 16, 2020 by John

The Gospel Lesson for this Sunday is the Annunciation: Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that, though a virgin, she will bear the Son of the Most High God, the Messiah of the lineage of King David (Luke 1:26-38). The Psalm that … Continue reading →

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Advent 3 B: Smiling as Resistance

Posted on December 10, 2020 by John

This Sunday’s Readings Old Testament      Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11 Psalm                    Psalm 126 or Luke 1:46b–55 New Testament     1 Thessalonians 5:16–24 Gospel                   John 1:6–8, 19–28 My sainted former colleague, Pastor Paul Fuchs, used to jokingly tell of how … Continue reading →

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Pentecost 24A: Care for Yourself by Caring for Others

Posted on November 11, 2020 by John

Many are the times I said to myself, “Go ahead, keep on eating. You deserve it.” Especially when I’m eating all by myself, and that big jar of peanut butter, or that big carton of ice cream is sitting right … Continue reading →

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Pentecost 18a: Are You Talking About Us Jesus?

Posted on September 30, 2020 by John

The Gospel reading for the 18th Sunday after Pentecost is Matthew 21:33-26.   Jesus has entered Jerusalem as the humble, Suffering Servant Messiah that he is. Some, who Jesus likens to infants and nursing babies, hail him rightly as the … Continue reading →

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